Electric switch



April 28, 1925. 1,535,873 H. M. STEVENS ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed June 16, 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet l invent or Harrg M. Sta/swa by W H i s flttorneg.

April 28, 1925.

H. M. STEVENS ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed June 16, 193

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F'gA. 20 I9 \8 lfiventorz Harrg M. Stevens,

April 28, 1925. 1,535,873 7 H. M. STEVENS ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed June 16, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l3 Fig.6. $2 o f I826 EO O 34 Inventor:

H is Attorney Patented Apr. 28, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,535,373 PATENT oFFicE.

HARRY M. STEVENS, F SCHENEGT'ADY, NEW 'YGRK, ASSIGNOR T0 GENERAL ELEC- TRIO COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application filed June 16,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY M. STEVENS,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electric switches and has for its object to provide an electric switch of the double throw type comprising two separate but cooperating switch elements controlled in a definite sequence by a single or common operating means.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention will be definitely indicated in the claims appended hereto, while the features of construction and mode of operation will be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show the preferred embodiment of my invention and in which:

Fig. 1 shows in elevation an electric switch embodying my invention; Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views'of the switch shown in Fig.

1 taken along the lines 2-2 and 33 re spectively; Figs. 4 and 5 are details of the switch mechanism, Fig. 5 having a portion broken away for purposes of clearness; and

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are views of a portion of the operating structure for my switch in various positions.

In Fig. 1 I have shown the switch embodying my invention as comprising two switch elements A and B combined in one switch structure to form a double throw switch. Each switch element includes a" separate and independent actuating mechanism, the mechanisms being mounted side by side on a common supporting framework and each mechanism controlling its own relatively movable cooperating contacts. The contacts of both switch elements are separable under oil or other insulating fluid which is contained in a common oil container or vessel, not shown for purposes of clearness, surrounding the contact members for both switch elements. This switch 59 may be arranged in multiple 'units and is esepecially adapted for pole changing and reversing operations in the electric control and propulsion of ships.

The switch structure of my invention is provided with three terminal members, 1, 2

1920. Serial No. 389,466.

and 3 mounted, preferably, in alignment and suitably supported by the usual insulating bushin Terminals 1 and 3 correspond to the switch elements A and B respectively while terminal 2 is a common terminal for both elements. The actuating mechanism for each switch element is mounted between its corresponding terminal 1 or 3 and the common terminal 2. Each switch element comprises fixed main and shunt contact members 4: and 5 respectively, carried at the end of terminal members 1 and 3 with which movable main and shunt contact members 6 and 7 respectively, cooperate. The movable contact members 6 and 7 for each switch element are carried by contact carrying arms 8 which are inpermanent conducting relation with the common terminal 2 through a conducting member 9 carried at the lower end of this terminal. The arms 8 are preferably pivotally supported at one end to the memher 9 and are movable in the same plane about their pivotal connections to'carry the contact members 6 and 7 into and out of engagement with their cooperating fixed contact, members 4 and 5. In order to insure a good electrical connection between the contact carrying arms 8. and the conducting member 9, I use flexible conductors 10 connected therebetween.

For actuating each switch element, I rovide a separate actuating mechanism w ich 1 if is connected to its respective contact carrying arm 8 through an insulating rod 11 pivotally secured to each arm. As best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, each mechanism is of unitary construction carried on a channel iron base or support 12 and comprises a pair of arms 13 pivotally connected at one end to the actuating rod 11 and at their other ends to a link 14. The other end of link 14 is pivotally secured between pillars or standards 15 carried by the base 12. For moving arms 13, I provide a toggle or collapsible connection comprising members 16 and 17, toggle link 16 being connected to the pivotal connection of arms 13 and link 14 sides of arms 13, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 5 to form a means for locking the switch element in circuit 'openin position as will be described more in detai hereinafter. Cooperating with lever 18 to form a collapsible connection, is a pair of links 21 which are connected at one end to arm 22 of a bell crank lever 23 carried on a separate support 24. In order to limit the movement of the toggle members 18 and 21 in thrust transmittin'g position, links 21' terminate in fingers 25 which engage a pin or pins 26 carried by lever 18. In order to collapse toggle m'embers 18-21, I provide an adjustable pin 12 supported upon the base 12. This pin is in the path of movement of a projection or shoulder 18 on leven 18, so that I movement of the toggle 18-21 to the left from the position shown in Fig. 6,, causes the shoulder 18 to ride up on pin .12 and cause the collapse of the connection as shown in Fig. 2. p

' Connected to the other arm 27 of each bell crank lever 23 is an operating or reciprocating rod 28. The rods 28, one corresponding to each switch element, are arranged side by side and are connected at their lower ends to links 29 which are pivotally connected to an interlocking mechanism comprising arms 30 and 31 correspondmg respectively to switch elements A and B, as best shown in Fig. 1. The arms 30 and 31 are secured to one end of a pair of rotatable shafts 32 and 33 respectively and are movable thereby as best shown in Fig. 8. These shafts are carried in a suitable bearing support 34 which, as shown, is mounted beneath the switch. The shafts are rotated through operating arms 35 and 36 secured to the other ends thereof.

The arms 35 and 36 and shafts 32 and 33 with the two operating rods 28 are movable simultaneously through a common operating lever 37 pivoted on a support 38 between two pedestal portions 39 thereof. The op erating lever 37 is supplied with a handle portion 40, shown partly broken away, a

segment portion 41 and a tail portion 42. As shown the operating lever 37 is of a type similar to steam control levers used on shipboard but this lever may have many other forms. A reciprocating rod 43 connects the tail, portion 42 of lever 37 to the ends of the two arms 35 and 36 of the interlocking mechanism whereby movement of the operating lever is transmitted to both shafts 32 and 33 simultaneously to operate both switch elements A and B. In order to hold the operating lever 37 in position, its segment portion 41 is rovided with a plurality of recesses 44 wit which a pawl member 45 is biased to engage. In order to relieve the strain on arms 30 and 31, I

provide a means for positively assisting the movement of rods 28 which consists of a sleeve secured to a shaft 46 and having two arms 47 and 48 connected to the ends of rods 28.

The operation of this switch may be de scribed as follows: Let us assume that both switch elements A and B are in circuit opening position. The common operating lever 37 is then in its'central position with pawl 45 engaging the central recess and the interlocking mechanism is in the position shown in Fig. 7 while the actuating mechanism for each swit'ch element is in-the position shown in Fi 6. Due to the interlocking means descri d, only one switch element can be moved to circuit closing position at the same time. The movement of lever 37 on one side of its central position closes one switch element or one throw position, while its movement on the other side of the central position closes the other throw position or the other switch element. A backward motion of operating lever 37 from itscentral position to the position shown in Fig. 1, moves rod- 43 to the right and, through arms 35 and 36, rotates shafts 32 and 33 respectively. The rotation of shafts 32 and 33 is communicated through arms 30 and 31 respectivelyto the operating rods 28 so that the actuating mechanism for both switch elements A and B move from the position shown in Fig. 6. In one switch element, A, toggle 18-21 is moved to the right into circuit closing position, as shown in Fig. 3, while in the other switch element, B, the toggle 18-21 is moved to the left, causing the actuating mechanism for the other switch element, shoulder 18, to ride upon pin 12, collapsing the toggle and moving ment of arms 30 and 31 of the interlocking mechanism whereby in the operation shown in Fig. 1, rod 28 for element A is raised and rod 28 for element B is lowered. From the position shown in Fig. 6, the raising of rod 28 for element A moves its bell crank lever 27 clockwise to exert a pull on toggle 1821 and straighten toggle 1617 whereby rod 11 raises its contact carrying arm to close its contacts. The lowering of rod 28 for switch element B however causes a counter clockwise movement of its bell crank lever 27 with a consequent pressure exerted on its toggle 1'821. As its toggle 16 and 17 is already collapsed, the only thing that can happen is to buckle or collapse toggle 18,21 causing link 18 to move upward between arms 13 so that the lugs 20 carried by these arms engage the recessed portions 19 of the its link 18 thus holding the mechanism locked in circuit opening position, as best shown in Fig. 5. This feature of locking one switch element in its open position while theother switch element is closed has particular value in preventing the closing of the element by excessive jars and vibrations such as would occur on shipboard. If desired any number of switch units, each containing elements duplicating elements A and B, may b mounted in tandem to provide a multiple unit switch for the control of a plurality of circuits. In this case the actuating mechanism for each switch element in tandem with elements A and B would have toggle.182l omitted and connecting links would be used between the toggles 16-17 of each switch element to enable all the elements to' move simultaneously.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In an electric switch, the combination with two sets of relatively movable cooperating contacts, of a separate actuating mechanism for each set of contacts comprising a collapsible connection, a common operating means for said mechanisms, means intercon nectin said actuating mechanisms, whereby one seof contacts is opened prior to-the closing of the other set and the movement of one of said mechanisms to circuit closing position causes the connection of the other mechanisms to collapse, and means rendered ctlective by the collapse of said connection to held that mechanism locked in its circuitopening position.

2. In'an electric switch, the combination with three terminals extending into a vessel adapted to contain an insulating fluid, of fixed contacts within said fluid and carried two of said terminals, movable" contact members cooperating with each of said fixed contacts and in permanent conductive relation with the other of said terminals, separate actuating mechanisms controlling said movable contact members comprising a collapsible connection, a common operating means for said mechanisms, means interconnecting said actuating mechanisms whereby the movement of one of said mechanisms to circuit closing position causes the connection for the other mechanism to collapse, and means rendered effective by the collapse of said connection to hold that mechanism locked in its circuit opening position.

3. In an electric switch, the combination with two separate switch elements, of relatively movable cooperating contacts for each element separable under oil adapted to be contained in a vessel common to both elements, separate actuating mechanisms for said contacts, each mechanism comprising a collapsible connection held in thrust transmitting position when both said actuating mechanisms are in circuit opening position but collapsible in response to the movement of one of said actuating mechanisms to switch closing position, and means operative by the collapse of said connection to lock that mechanism in circuit opening position.

4. In an electric switch, the combination with relatively movable cooperating contacts, of a mechanism controlling said con tacts comprising an arm connected to said contacts, a lug carried by said arm, a collapsible toggle adapted when in thrust transmitting position to control the movement of said arm, one of said toggle members having a recessed portion movable in response to the collapse of said toggle into a position to cooperate with said lug to lock said arm in circuit opening position.

5. In; an electric switch, the combination with relatively movable cooperating contacts, of means for controlling said contacts comprising an arm connected to said contacts, a lug carried by said arm, a member having a recessed portion, said member cooperating with said arm to open and close the switch but adapted under predetermined conditions to move in a direction to cause said recessed portion to engage with said lug whereby said arm switch is locked in circuit opening position.

6. In an electric switch, the combination of two separate switch elements, separate actuating mechanisms for each element, means interconnecting said mechanisms comprising rotatable shafts, members for actuating said mechanisms in response to rotation of said shafts, shafts for rotating them, a reciprocating rod connecting said arms, and a common operating lever for moving said reciprocating rod in one direction to close one of said switch elements and in the opposite direction to close the other of said switch elements.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of June 1920.

HARRY M. STEVENS.

arms secured to said i 

